Brand spanking new to guns and have been doing a lot of research. (Been looking at a off-roster XD-M possibly at Valkyrie, but have yet to drive there).

EXCELLENT post!

Thank you for putting your time, research and opinions here and in an easy to understand (somewhat) post and breaking things down logically. (Only thing I didn't always comprehend are the acronyms-but getting better).

OMG, can someone help me out here by post or e-mail is prefered. I live in Va & found a Springfield Armory 3.8 compact .45 ACP listed in Gallery of Guns with 1) 9rd & 1) 10 rd mag. with "sleeve". According to them it's the "California" version. The description says it has ALL the XDm gear, 3 back straps, 3 "mag extensions", holster, clip holster, speed loader. I'd like to know :

Does it come with the 3 "mag extensions" to match the 3 back strap sizes??

What is the "sleeve"??

Are the "mag extensions" shorter than the ones that come with the 13rd mag???

Only thing I saw that I "think" is wrong is what is needed to buy a new handgun. You stated CA driver's license or government issued ID. I was told and from what I read, you need to have a CA issued ID. This only includes CA driver's license or CA issued identification card. I have an out of state drivers license and my passport and they would not accept either of these. I had to go to the DMV to get a CA issued ID card to purchase my handgun. Feel free to correct me if I am wrong, but I am lead to believe that this is correct.

Thank you for the advice... long time reader, first time poster. I followed your suggested path to hand gun ownership and ended up with a Sig 1911... I was glad to rent/try a few to know that this one was for me.

If it's not too cheeky, I'll reply to a post I happened to notice unanswered, using a portion of your 2nd post here and add a detail or two.

Quote:

mc21

Only thing I saw that I "think" is wrong is what is needed to buy a new handgun. You stated CA driver's license or government issued ID. I was told and from what I read, you need to have a CA issued ID. This only includes CA driver's license or CA issued identification card.

I have an out of state drivers license and my passport and they would not accept either of these. I had to go to the DMV to get a CA issued ID card to purchase my handgun. Feel free to correct me if I am wrong, but I am lead to believe that this is correct.

Quote:

iareConfusE - from Post #2

Documentation Required to Purchase A Handgun in California
You will need to be at least 21 years old. You will need a valid CA driver’s license or government issued ID. You will need a handgun safety certificate, which requires a very simple test of firearms knowledge and safety practices. If you fail this test, you do not deserve to own a firearm. You will need proof of residence such as your vehicle registration, with your current address listed.

What this means is that in order to pick up your new handgun from an FFL (dealer), you not only need an "official" CA Driver License or CA Identification Card, but you will need another, "proof of residence": Vehicle registration, utility bill, etc... but be aware that for some reason, financial statements do not qualify.

I've been in the market for my first handgun for a little while now and am curious to get feedback from Calgunners about things that changed for you after you selected your first gun and started using it. Did you buy and decide later that you wanted something different? If so, why?

My first instinct is to select the gun that "feels" the best and that I shoot the most accurately with. However, someone recently suggested that I not think too much about feel - because when the SHTF, I need to be able to pickup anything and be able to shoot it. I am not really buying with end-of-the-world scenarios in mind, but it seems like a reasonable thing to consider.

Also, I realize accuracy should improve with any pistol after practice, so should that even matter after going through a few mags at the range? I assume that any handgun I choose within a certain category (CZ P0-1, Sig 229, SA XD, etc.) will have relatively comparable quality.

I did a fair amount of homework (reviews, Youtube vids, general "Googling" and handled (well fondled) a bunch before choosing. They included a Glock 19, Beretta Storm, M&P9, XD9, Sig 2022, and one maybe 2 others I don't recall. I did not shoot any of them.

I wanted a 9mm due to ammo availability and price. I preferred a compact (4in barrel). I focused on models that were relatively cheap back in December (under $500).

Ended up with the Sig 2022. Price was $389 plus back then. 500 rounds later, no regrets, just a big and growing smile every time I shoot it.

The Glock felt like I was holding the wrong end of a baseball bat. I did like the XD. I ended up feeling like the DA/SA on the Sig was a bit more familiar having an old Winchester 94 and having shot a bunch of revolvers. The Sig was actually the cheapest at the time and that did have some influence.

Honestly, they are all fine weapons. The Sig only comes with one mag. Extra 10 round mags are pricey and hard to find.

I'm in the same place you were. I really liked the XD when I tried it at the range. What ultimately made you select the 2022? Even though I haven't been able to try it, I'm leaning toward the Sig because of how much I liked the p229.

Just to throw in my two cents, we looked at the XD9 and the Sp2022 also. The XD hit the bone of my thumb knuckle so it was out if the running. The cost also factored into the decision. But ultimately, it felt good, good sights and had a much better trigger feel comparatively. I've said it before, and I'm not sure if its true or not, but the metal trigger group of the Sig lends to a much more solid feel compared to the XD or many of the other pistols we've tried.

I too am in the market to get an SP2022 in 9mm after trying it out but since times are rough on 9mm ammo, I was thinking of getting it in .40 instead as I can still find ammo in stores and the price doesn't seem too far off from 9mm. I've never shot the .40 version, does it feel much different from the 9mm version or can I get used to it?

Does the address on my CA ID and my car registration have to match? My ID shows the address of my parents house, before I moved. My car registration has the address of my current residence.

If they do have to match, how would I go about doing so since DMV does not send out a new ID just for an address change.

Honestly it depends on the shop you're doing the transfer at. I've been to a couple shops where they want both registration address to match DL address, and I've been to shops that only care about the registration address. The latter is more common I believe - as long as your registration has your current address you should be good to go for most shops.

The legislature in the state of California, which has little to no knowledge of guns and even less support for their defensive use, had seen it fit to restrict the kind of guns that can get on the "approved roster". Amongst these are:-

Magazine Disconnect Safety

Loaded Chamber Indicator

are:-

In otherwords, unless the gun has a flag that pops out and says loaded when a round is in the chamber, it cannot get on the list. If it can be fired with the magazine removed it also cannot get on the list.

Not everyone agrees with having such attributes on the gun of course. For one, the pop up flag may snap on clothing or a holster if you are carrying concealed. Or it may be a distracting protrusion when it comes to the sight picture. Personally, I don't want any gun with a loaded chamber indicator.

The Magazine Disconnect is a silly idea in trying to idiot proof a pistol. It prevents the round from being fired if the magazine is removed. Presumably it guards against accidental discharge by idiots who don't have the simplest of understanding that a semi-auto pistol can still have a chambered round even when you remove the magazine. Idiots who don't visually and personally clear their weapons. The problem is that in a tactical scenario you may end up in a situations where you have expended a portion of the ammunition in the magazine (say 5 out of 10 rounds) and wish to reload with a full mag during a pause in the engagement. A magazine disconnect will get you killed by preventing you from discharging the last remaining chambered round if you are surprised by an assailant in the middle of your reload. I do not ever want a gun with a magazine disconnect.

Well, just want everyone to know that it is NOT illegal to own and shoot pistols without these features. It doesn't matter when or how they were acquired. It is only illegal to sell new pistols without these features (unless you do a single shot exemption) because they can never be on the approved roster. So, feel free to remove these features once you have acquired the gun. Most loaded chamber indicators are either a separate tilting piece or an overly tall extractor. Feel free to remove them or replace them with non-CA spec parts. Many pistols are offered with out without the magazine disconnect or have internals that can be pinned in place so they always think there is a magazine in place. Feel free to do that.

Ultimately, your life may depend on your handgun. The idiots in Sacramento's lives won't. Don't left their folly cost you your life.

Does the address on my CA ID and my car registration have to match? My ID shows the address of my parents house, before I moved. My car registration has the address of my current residence.

If they do have to match, how would I go about doing so since DMV does not send out a new ID just for an address change.

Quote:

Originally Posted by iareConfusE

Honestly it depends on the shop you're doing the transfer at. I've been to a couple shops where they want both registration address to match DL address, and I've been to shops that only care about the registration address. The latter is more common I believe - as long as your registration has your current address you should be good to go for most shops.

I used my fishing license! Only state issue document with my current addy! CDL has old addy and car reg was in my wifes name. They took my CDL and fishing license as good enough. Hunting license was exp ...

EDIT: Actually not fishing license ... went to claim after 10 days and it was pointed out the document was not issued by the state (issued by Big5 as proxy for the state) so it doesn't count. Good thing I had my wifes car (which is actually registered in my name).

__________________
My opinions are not legal advice ... more like pleas for help.

I have recently (past couple of years) have seriously begun "collecting" handguns. Personally I enjoy the Sig's. They make some fine guns. I have a few & truly enjoy the variety of shooting the 1911's to the 229 to the 226 X-Five. Then the Browning Hi-Power is a sweetie. Colt's 1911 is not quite as comfortable & aesthetically pleasing as the Sigs, but that's my personal opinion. I also find the Sig's better built. Again... Personal opinion.
I'm now looking to buy a Sig 226 X-Six but am yet to find a decent price, or at least what I think to be "decent".
Anyone have suggestions on the 226 X-Six 40mm? Can use all the info you may offer.

Learned the hard way while selling to an unprepared buyer. 2.5 Hour DROS :(

Quote:

Originally Posted by K1NJO

Got a question for the experts here...

Does the address on my CA ID and my car registration have to match? My ID shows the address of my parents house, before I moved. My car registration has the address of my current residence.

If they do have to match, how would I go about doing so since DMV does not send out a new ID just for an address change.

Quote:

Originally Posted by iareConfusE

Honestly it depends on the shop you're doing the transfer at. I've been to a couple shops where they want both registration address to match DL address, and I've been to shops that only care about the registration address. The latter is more common I believe - as long as your registration has your current address you should be good to go for most shops.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Epaphroditus

I used my fishing license! Only state issue document with my current addy! CDL has old addy and car reg was in my wifes name. They took my CDL and fishing license as good enough. Hunting license was exp ...

EDIT: Actually not fishing license ... went to claim after 10 days and it was pointed out the document was not issued by the state (issued by Big5 as proxy for the state) so it doesn't count. Good thing I had my wifes car (which is actually registered in my name).

Hello. The main concern with addresses is that the government (local, state, federal) want to know where the firearm will be physically kept. This information is used in a wide array of databases. One, for example is when the police visits a residential address they are informed ahead of time if there are firearms expected on the premises. Ideally, it is for all of our safety.

The DMV vehicle registration is issued by the state and is needed if your address listed on your driver's license is NOT current (as in it will not be the address where the firearm will be physically kept.)

This is one of the reasons P.O. boxes or office addresses CANNOT be used to DROS a firearm because you will not be physically keeping your firearms there.

new member here to the forum and been researching on purchasing my first gun. it was very informative and thank you for that.

i especially like the part where you suggested to post up asking fellow calguners to borrow to shoot the gun at the range. i think that would be most helpful to me, cuz i'm in san jose and i know of target masters and reeds indoor range and also the outdoor range on metcalf (but need to have own gun, i think). where would i post that though? (newbie question)

i've narrow down to 9mm: Glock19 and Sig P229.

i'd love to own a HK P7, but too rich for what i plan to use it for which is home security and at the range.

Very nice write up---I'm a newbie and just purchased a Marlin 795 over the counter at a Big 5 store---Had to have a background check and wait 10 days---If I wanted to purchase a .22lr pistol for target practice, what would the current procedure be.

Also, is the FFL the same as for concealed carry?---I don't want to carry on my body, just in the car to target practice with.---Thanks

Very nice write up---I'm a newbie and just purchased a Marlin 795 over the counter at a Big 5 store---Had to have a background check and wait 10 days---If I wanted to purchase a .22lr pistol for target practice, what would the current procedure be.

Also, is the FFL the same as for concealed carry?---I don't want to carry on my body, just in the car to target practice with.---Thanks

Happy

Harold,

to purchase a handgun you will need a handgun safety certificate which you can get at a gun store or shooting range that offers the test. Then you go through the same DROS procedure and wait the 10 days, etc.

FFL = Federal Firearms License, has nothing to do with CCW (concealed carry). Permits for CCW will depend on your county, and as far as I know it's still not very easy to get one in CA.